diff --git a/src/filewidgets/kdiroperator.cpp b/src/filewidgets/kdiroperator.cpp
--- a/src/filewidgets/kdiroperator.cpp
+++ b/src/filewidgets/kdiroperator.cpp
@@ -2590,6 +2590,11 @@
         if (delegate) {
             delegate->setMaximumSize(QSize(size * (3.0 / 2.0), size + metrics.height()));
         }
+
+        // hide icon previews when they are too small
+        if (showPreviews) {
+            previewGenerator->setPreviewShown(itemView->iconSize().height() > metrics.height() * 2);
+        }
     }
 }